Pilgram

SENZ Craft show

2010-07-19T18:22:00.000+12:00

Spent the weekend displaying at the SENZ papercraft show in Christchurch. This is a snapshot of our stall - we set it up with a garden theme.

Made quite a few new card samples to display at the show.

We released a selection of new stamps that I designed over the last couple of months.

Birdhouse Prop for craft show

2010-07-19T17:40:00.000+12:00

I created this birdhouse for an upcoming craft show. The show is going to be a Garden theme and this will hang as a prop. I used thick card to create the shape and large popsicle sticks for the roof tiles. I used adirondack acrylic paint, flower soft and stamps to decorate.

Mothers Day

2010-05-09T09:56:00.000+12:00

Just finished making cards & wrapping presents for the Mums.

Used some nice scrapbooking paper for the feature on the card and for the faux postage stamp.

I have had this metal trim in a draw for years waiting for the perfect project.

Stamped the post marks on the envelope and used decorative scissors with a stamp edge to cut out the stamp.

For my Mum, I cut down scrapbooking paper to card size. (just big enough to leave a fine border around the edge of the card). This will help Mum as she is often short on time when it comes to making a card.

Night class

2010-05-03T21:43:00.000+12:00

I am currently taking a night class in metal work. I'm going to lean welding, wrought iron work, folding and shaping metal etc.... The class is a bit of a free-for-all, everyone is doing different projects. Each night I am hoping to lean another machine or technique. Tonight I learnt to spot weld.

Re organizing the studio

2010-05-03T21:37:00.000+12:00

I just purchased a second hand cabinet that is identical to the grey one in the picture on the right. So now I have a matching pair. So to make room the studio needed a bit of an overhaul.

Everything has to be emptied out to move the cabinets.

So for a while there was a larger mess than what I started with.

Dolls house windows will be the end of me!

2010-04-23T00:01:00.000+12:00

Progress so far.... working on the top floor windows as the moment.

Inside view of the top floor windows.

Looking from the outside - in.

Late nights making windows.

2010-04-18T19:33:00.000+12:00

Once I start a project I find it hard to put down - and never manage to get to bed on time.

Stash Rehash Market 2010

2010-04-18T19:32:00.002+12:00

Here is my haul from the stash rehash market today.

Just love the packaging of old items.

Wooden cotton reals are getting harder to find.

Giant scissors! will be great for a future sculpture.

Three new pieces for the gallery

2010-04-14T14:50:00.000+12:00

'Inside Out'

'Looking Glass'

'Sanctuary'

One floor of windows finished!

2010-04-11T22:24:00.000+12:00

Windows in progress

2010-04-08T23:06:00.000+12:00

Working on making the windows for the dolls house.

1:24 scale, 1/2 an inch = a foot.

Trim

2010-04-05T00:30:00.000+12:00

Cladding

2010-03-29T22:29:00.000+13:00

Went shopping today...

2010-03-24T11:42:00.001+13:00

In Christchurch we have one very good dolls house supply shop called 'The Enchanted Garden'. She has wonderful samples as well as all the building supplies I could need. So I took the scoot over today to get some more wood etc.

Slow Progress

2010-03-21T23:07:00.000+13:00

Progress is slow but I'm enjoying the process.

New project

2010-03-18T23:55:00.000+13:00

Decided to build a scale dolls house - this is 'The Bodwell House' in Hallowell Main, USA. Built in the late 1800's, this was the home to the governor Joseph R Bodwell.

I colected as many pictures off the net that I could find on the bodewell house and started to plot out the proportions of the building.

Purchased some supplies from the local model shop.

Cut out all the main pieces to construct the exterior.

Nest necklace

2010-02-24T11:51:00.000+13:00

Having fun playing around with the idea of nests and eggs - tricky part is finding beads that have the look of eggs.

Two new pieces for the gallery

2010-02-24T11:49:00.000+13:00

Put these into the Gallery last weekend and the green one sold before the end of the day.

New piece for the Gallery

2010-01-23T15:55:00.000+13:00

For Queen and Country

You may kiss the paw

2010-01-23T15:42:00.001+13:00

Cats do strange things . ..

Cabinet for the Gallery

2010-01-16T10:56:00.000+13:00

Before

After

I got this cabinet off trade me and gave it a good clean, a fresh coat of shellac, and re-lined the back with some fabric. Last weekend, with the help of my father we put up this cabinet in the gallery.

Then I filled it up with new jewellery for sale (sold 2 pairs of earrings while I was putting jewellery into the cabinet).

Nature is amazing!

2010-01-14T18:08:00.002+13:00

Happy New Year Cupcakes!

2010-01-01T15:45:00.000+13:00

Made mini cupcakes with royal icing flowers for New Years eve.

First time trying my hand at icing flowers.

Royal icing:

-3 egg whites

-4 cups icing sugar (confectioners sugar)

-1/2 teaspoon Cream of Tartar

-Food Colouring

Mix all ingredients on a low setting on the beater. Once mixed increase to a medium setting and beat for about 10min (until stiff, white & glossy)

Royal icing dries out very quickly, so I divided it into smaller portions and covered it in cling film. Then open one at a time as required.

Add food colouring to get the desired colour.

I used a star shaped tip and made paper cones (no washing up required).

Starting at the centre of the flower make 2 rounds and finish.

I went for a tropical colour theme.

Mini cupcakes make a good bite size treat for parties!

Ice with butter cream icing and place the flowers and leaves in place.

Wooden Christmas Tree

2009-12-30T20:40:00.000+13:00

I made these to give away to everyone a few Christmases back. I designed them by sketching the idea up first then plotted them out on the computer so they would slot together. They were cut out on a laser machine out of thin MDF and were about 15cm high.

Button Necklace

2009-12-28T20:42:00.000+13:00

Made this button necklace for the sister-inlaw for Christmas. Used thin fishing line to stitch it together.

Soldered Decoratons

2009-12-27T15:37:00.000+13:00

I made these decorations for my work mates this year (I always make them a Christmas decoration each christmas). These were soldered and given a little polish. I used small facetted glass from a stained glass window supplier.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-26T22:11:00.000+13:00

Merry Christmas to all !

Christmas Day 2009

2009-12-26T15:28:00.001+13:00

For the person who want's nothing.

2009-12-21T22:49:00.000+13:00

Go that special person in your life who want's nothing for Christmas. How about giving them one of these? I just used stiff card to keep it's shape.

Artwork verses Christmas

2009-12-16T18:27:00.000+13:00

My artwork is suffering at the moment, I should be making more pieces as I just sold one yesterday. But Christmas prep has taken over - Christmas cards, decorating the tree, shopping etc. Maybe after Christmas day I can settle down and get things done.

Gift wrap idea

2009-12-12T10:06:00.000+13:00

Here is an idea for you . . . get a cheep scarf to use as gift wrap. Use a rubber band to pull it all together at the top of the gift. Two presents in one!

Christmas Swap Birds

2009-12-08T17:59:00.000+13:00

So these are my Christmas Swaps - wee felt birds with buttons and feathers attached. Here are some photo's of the process of getting them made:

Christmas Swap all wrapped up!

2009-11-30T19:36:00.001+13:00

I deserve a pat on the back for being so organized pre-christmas this year! My Christmas Swaps are finished and now wrapped and ready to send. Once everyone has received them I will disclose what lies under the wrapping paper! I'm not usually this organized by the way!

Today my favorite colour is Green.

2009-11-29T21:53:00.000+13:00

Pink Christmas Tree's

2009-11-29T10:53:00.002+13:00

Getty images

Watermelon Watermelon

Sweet Designs

Been noticing many a pink tree and decoration in the shops at the moment, not sure that I would go all-out with a pink tree though.

New Junk

2009-11-26T00:55:00.005+13:00

Came home today from the junk shop with this lot

(pictured above) for just $2 !

Then there was the small matter of putting them all away in the right place (in one of the many draws in my studio) so that I can find them later when I need them.

Amazing what a little water and soap can do!

Colour decision made!

2009-11-25T15:09:00.000+13:00

I dropped into a local 2nd hand shop today and they had buttons going for cheep. After arriving home and preparing to put the buttons away I realized they would make a great colour combination for my Christmas Swap. Decision made!

Fabric Pears

2009-11-23T22:10:00.003+13:00

Made these a while back as gifts. I stuffed them till they were very hard to the touch. The leaf was made of felt - cut to shape, then ran the sewing machine down the centre.

Advent Calenders

2009-11-19T22:36:00.002+13:00

I Have been contemplating making an advent calender - but with so many options I'm finding it had to decide what sort to make.

Christmas Gift Choosing

2009-11-19T18:21:00.002+13:00

How do you find choosing christmas gifts for people? Do you spend way too much time deciding what to get each individual? I often find I come up with a great idea for someone but can't for the life of me locate it anywhere and have to come up with something else. I think kitty liked his present last year!

Small things that make you smile

2009-11-18T17:13:00.000+13:00

Sometime the small things in life make you smile the hardest. Like the rubbish bin outside work, where someone had crammed in some packing material. I thought it looked like a giant tissue box!

Gallery Working Bee

2009-11-14T22:18:00.009+13:00

Mum and I have a small Gallery off the side of My Aunt's Gallery. My Auntie Lesley's gallery / working studio has now also become some where to sell some of her collectables, mostly retro items with a NZ theme. Therefore new signs and a general clean up was in order, as it was mostly an outdoor job it rained the entire time! I think the new layout inside Lesley's studio is looking great. Here is the website for the Gallery.

Avoiding doing work

2009-11-11T18:57:00.001+13:00

Anyone else find that their craft room needs sorting the moment a job needs doing? I sorted buttons, ribbons, cottons, felt and more . . . when really I should have been finishing Christmas cards and getting started on my Christmas swap. But I must say the craft room looks good!

Cupcake Pin cushions

2009-11-10T23:59:00.002+13:00

Thought you might like this idea - I made a few last year and they went down a treat. I picked up the little containers from the Warehouse and just hot glued the ribbon onto the outside. The top is just a large round circle of white felt gathered over some stuffing and hot glued into the container. If you get coloured pins they look like sprinkles.

Warm weather

2009-11-09T22:29:00.001+13:00

Warm weather just makes you happy! Living next to the botanical gardens is quite a treat at this time of year and I often enjoy a walk amongst the flowers.

Christmas Swap

2009-11-09T20:16:00.003+13:00

I have recently signed up for a Christmas ornament swap for New Zealanders. There will be 6 people in my group (group 4), makes me wonder just how many people signed up! So now the decision process starts - what to make, what material to make them out of and what colours to go for. Then there is the small matter of getting my A into G and get them made! Looking forward to the challenge and seeing what others come up with.

Book Folding

2009-11-08T20:21:00.009+13:00

Have you noticed book folding is popping up all over the place? Well I thought I would give it a go, and this is my first attempt. It took a little longer than I thought it would but it was enjoyable to do in front of the TV and the repetition looks nice.

Follow this link to an Etsy shop of book folding 'Rymes With Magic' .

'Stash Rehash' Market 2009

2009-11-08T19:49:00.017+13:00

This morning I lined up with many other crafter to squeeze into a small community hall and spend money I shouldn't be spending. Why would I do this? Well today was the 'Stash Rehash' Market - crafters selling their overflow of craft supplies. I spent an hour there, half of it just trying to get close to the tables to get a look. But it was worthwhile and there was a nice atmosphere to the event. These are the bits and pieces I purchased.

Here is the link to the Stash Rehash blog.

Summer Bowls

2009-11-08T18:22:00.000+13:00

Our apartment overlooks a bowls club and provides some good entertainment on the weekends. Maybe I will take up bowls when I retire - it looks like fun!

Buttons Galore!

2009-11-08T17:08:00.004+13:00

During my craft room clean up I realized just how many buttons I had stashed away - somehow this didn't stop me from buying another container from a car boot sale. Well how can you say no to 1/2 a shoe box full for $10? So I had a huge sort out and put a few on trade me. Now they belong to someone else's collection.

New piece for the Gallery

2009-11-08T16:57:00.002+13:00

Last week I put a new piece up in the gallery, I have neglected the gallery as much as my blog of late and now have some ground to make up. I hand cut the book to place the laser-cut wooden trees inside. The wooden trees have been hanging around half made in the craft room for over a year waiting to be made finished off.

Re sorting the Craft Room

2009-11-08T15:47:00.011+13:00

I recently brought a new cabinet off Trade Me for storing all of my fabric (the large wooden cabinet). That lead to re-sorting most of my craft room. I emerged two days latter, everything in a new location, and a small hand full of things that don't belong anywhere.

My Trip to Egypt and Europe

2009-11-08T14:37:00.036+13:00

Well as you may have noticed my poor little blog has been sorely neglected of late. I blame my overseas trip. . . before the trip I spent all my time researching the places I was soon to visit, then on returning I never got back into the swing of things.

My trip started in Cairo - Egypt and finished in Athens - Greece, with many a place inbetween. We were away for almost two months and had a wonderful time seeing and experiencing so many new places and things.

I fell in love with the Greek island of 'Santorini', we stayed in the little village of Oia, located on the very edge of the island, where one of the worlds most famous sunsets take place.

I did manage to keep a travel blog while I was over there, You can skip to it here if you are interested.

Appleberry & Sock Monkeys

2009-04-02T18:16:00.006+13:00

The great wee shop 'Appleberry' that sells my Sock monkeys has just been featured in the April copy of The Press 'At Home'.
What a nice surprise to see my sock monkeys in print. So it's time I got back to the sewing room and get some more Monkeys underway.

Pilgrim

Update

2009-04-01T12:54:00.011+13:00

Since last posting - Astric closed it's doors due to the owners personal situation. But the good news is that a cute shop has picked up my Handmade Sock Monkeys and people have been snatching them up. The shop is: 'Appleberry' and has Children's Bedlinen & Accessories.

New Art Pieces

2008-02-27T16:15:00.010+13:00

These are the two new pieces I have just finished and hung up at the gallery.
The first is 'Padlock' - when standing in front the piece it looks as if it is made up of flat slats of wood, it's not till you move to the side that you see the shape of the padlock.
The seacond is 'The Block' - cut from the top of an old wooden door frame, with small dictionary terms in the windows eg: house, flat, crib, abode etc .

My Gallery

2008-02-20T21:59:00.013+13:00

I share a gallery space with two other artists (my Mother and my Auntie). My auntie paints in the studio during the day and my Mother and I have a small gallery space beside hers that we have called 'The Wee Gallery'.
Our gallery is located in the 'Old Brick Mill' at the Waikuku beach turn off. We are the small building on the far right in the picture.
www.pilgram.co.nz

Astric Sandwich & Gift Shop

2008-02-20T21:00:00.004+13:00

This is the little shop in Colombo Street, Christchurch that I supply my handcrafts to. I love to make all sorts of unusual jewellery and at the moment have a soft spot for sock monkeys.

Studio Day

2008-02-20T12:54:00.002+13:00

Today is 'studio day' - time to get some work done and try not to get side-tracked into house work & chores. As usual I will just be getting into a project just as bed time will is looming. This is a close-up ptoto of a piece I made using New Zealand postage stamps and part of an old door frame.

2008-02-19T23:46:00.002+13:00